Megan, Joni and I chat about blog contests, giveaways and discount programs. The pros, the cons and the inside scoop on some of our own contests.
(Note: open this blog post in two different windows if you wish to listen while clicking links.)
And, in honor of our chat about giveaways, we have a giveaway! Jill Mitchell lives in Provence and hosts vintage and antiques buying weekends in Provence with a specialty in women's only tours. She has a website and blog called Le Trip. On request, she will meet people in Paris for a little shopping as well! Eleven years ago, Jill started a wine tour business with her California winemaker father. She fell in love with buying antiques and vintage goods after she moved to France and started her own tour company. She sells her finds on Ebay and Etsy for those who can't make it to France. Ooo la la!
To enter the drawing, take a trip over to her sites and let us know in the comments what items catch your eye!
From all entries, we will randomly select a winner, who will receive this fabulous vintage French school poster, courtesy of Jill!
This is an original mid century French vintage school poster which are becoming prized by a new generation of interior decorators and designers. "Plantes Sans Fleurs" beautiful charts flowerless plants, including ferns, mushrooms and algae. Printed on high quality thick stock paper. The print measures 29.5" x 35". When found in U.S. boutiques, these sell in the few hundred dollars price range.
We will select a winner on Thursday, February 18th. Jill notes that since the poster will be mailed from France, it could take a while to get to the winner. Good luck! And don't forget to visit one of Jill's sites and let us know what grabs your attendion!
Joni's French Market basket giveaway that garnered nearly 1,000 comments and emails.
Brooke Giannetti's Brickmaker's Table giveaway on Velvet & Linen
The winning entry in Linda's Blogging Top Design Swarovski Crystal Chandelier design contest
(Note: open this blog post in two different windows if you wish to listen while clicking links.)
And, in honor of our chat about giveaways, we have a giveaway! Jill Mitchell lives in Provence and hosts vintage and antiques buying weekends in Provence with a specialty in women's only tours. She has a website and blog called Le Trip. On request, she will meet people in Paris for a little shopping as well! Eleven years ago, Jill started a wine tour business with her California winemaker father. She fell in love with buying antiques and vintage goods after she moved to France and started her own tour company. She sells her finds on Ebay and Etsy for those who can't make it to France. Ooo la la!
To enter the drawing, take a trip over to her sites and let us know in the comments what items catch your eye!
From all entries, we will randomly select a winner, who will receive this fabulous vintage French school poster, courtesy of Jill!
This is an original mid century French vintage school poster which are becoming prized by a new generation of interior decorators and designers. "Plantes Sans Fleurs" beautiful charts flowerless plants, including ferns, mushrooms and algae. Printed on high quality thick stock paper. The print measures 29.5" x 35". When found in U.S. boutiques, these sell in the few hundred dollars price range.
We will select a winner on Thursday, February 18th. Jill notes that since the poster will be mailed from France, it could take a while to get to the winner. Good luck! And don't forget to visit one of Jill's sites and let us know what grabs your attendion!
Comments
I know some bloggers hate give-aways. Recently Grace from Design Sponge mentioned it on her twitter and she doesn't like it normally. I guess because it is a massive amount of advertising for a company and what you are getting value wise for a price insn't neccessary what you would make selling advertising space.
I like doing them, because I feel like it's a way to give back to my readers. I don't have the funds to gift them all something and I really appreciate them all. So a give-away that goes with the design style of my blog is great.
Plus like Joni mentioned it's a great way to get more followers. I always make sure to let people know that to enter my give-aways you have to be a follower of the blog. I also give people additional chances to enter if they blog about it or tweet about it. Which leads to more readers.
One thing I did for my last give-away was send out a little email to my blog friends. Just ones that I'm close with and give them the heads-up about the contest in case they wanted to let their readers know. Again you are reaching out to perhaps different readers.
My last give-away had over 500 comments, which for me was nutty.
So end of long story. I like them!
Linda I totally agree with you. That print would look amazing in your new kitchen!!!
I'm a fan of giveaways (and am about to host my first!) - it's a great way to give back to readers!
Amazing giveaway ladies!
I have to say that I love what is being giving away, but in checking her etsy site I think the fruit version would be great at home in my kitchen!
I have only done one giveaway on my blog - on my 2 year 'blogiversary', I had a giveaway for Phoebe Howard's book, which is self-published, and is not available in stores (I think it is more of a portfolio to give to potential clients, although it is beautifully done). Of course, I asked Phoebe for her permission. I thought it was interesting to have a giveaway for something rare and not available for purchase. So many people emailed me begging me to put it on ebay!
Joni, thank you for the shout out! The offer is still good for the gilver frame....any design you want, just let me know....maybe the new 'Elisabeth'?
Just checked out Jill's Ebay site and I love the wire wine basket and the wicker demijohn (you see where my mind is, no?!) :-)
This giveaway is fabulous~ I love it!
By the way, the giveaways that are about design are interesting, but they generally favor professionals. Sometimes, I wish the housewife with a modest income, who reads these blogs as an escape, could win those big prizes.
Also, there are multiple message boards dedicated to pointing readers to giveaways. Check your traffic. I'm sure some are sending people your way.
My boyfriend is currently studying to be a doctor, so I LOVE the tongue and eye vintage french posters from her EBay site! I think they would be a great touch for his office!
Alors, a toutes les autres commentaires, bonne chance, mais j'espere que cette affiche appartenir a moi!
Merci so much for hosting this fun giveaway. I'm having a ball reading the comments while I listen to the recording. Love this giveaway concept and here we are living it live. Ya'll are brill.
Jill
Jill has some really unique things in her store right now. I am particularly fond of the 1950's vintage curtain! I think you could make so many marvelous things with the fabric, or use it as a curtain or shower curtain. I also like the confit pot. It is really a treasure - I haven't seen many black ones.
As a (clothing) designer, I have found that a (20-25%) discount code works extremely well for my business. Typically, I send the blogger a sample, and she writes an honest review; I have been fortunate to have great reviews. The first blog I did it with has continued for 8 months to bring me business. Though coupon codes don't seem like great shakes to the reader and/or blogger at first, at the very least it allows the merchant to track where the business is coming from. Of course we have Google Analytics to help us, but traffic does not always equal sales.
As a result of that first blog's review, I have submitted samples to about 7 more blogs. But, none were as successful as the first, so I know that her readers are perfect for my product, and now we're creating an affiliate program together. Also, she will be the first I will go to when I have new styles. I thought I would share that perspective to help you make your decisions in the future!
A funny story: I was googling my company and found a negative post about my product. She had never seen or used it herself, so I contacted the blogger and offered to send her a sample to see if I couldn't change her mind. She apologized profusely, and agreed to try the sample. I've followed up three times and never heard from her again. I've been debating whether to blog about this on my extremely neglected blog. I know what Megan would say!
As for the "secret" entries issue, on a recent giveaway, I had the entries go to MY server so that I would collect the emails. I figured I was wasting product ($120 worth) if I wasn't increasing my mailing list.
Keep up the great shows!
XOXO
JHG
P.S. I'm now supposed to pick a winner for above mentioned giveaway, and I don't know how. What system do you use?
I did take a look at Jill's ebay sight and really like the French Vintage School Poster Rose Sweet Pea Flower Bud!
Thanks againg for your blogs...your are all wonderful:)
http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/02/bloggers-valentine-giveaway.html
become a follower and then post a comment to win one of *my very own* design items. Please visit before contest ends on 2.14.10 at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be announced on the 15th.
Have a sweet Valentine weekend and thanks, Linda, for mentioning me in today's post. You made my day and I still love my silver bowl :)
http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/01/thanks-skirted-roundtable.html
xo yvonne
PS To visit Provence on one of Jill's "Womens Trips" would be such a great way to travel! I don't expect to win again - that would not be fair - but I think the green cup listed on ebay is magnifique: 2 French Glazed Pottery Vallauris France Cup Dish Lot (posted on Feb. 2nd at http://letrip.org/blog/?p=1947
I love doing giveaways on my blog & I always offer than to anyone who wants to advertise with me. I've also done giveaways when I get an item for it as opposed to paid advertising, cause I feel it's a win-win for my readers. The company gets exposure, I get a freebie & my readers get something too.
Giveaways have really exploded across blogs the last year, haven't they?!
When I first started blogging, it was a surefire way to boost my readership. Now, I just like to do it once in a while for fun {or to make myself crazy!}
Karena
kalbert1@kc.rr.com
Linda
I did not understand the giveaways were from the stores, somehow I thought they were from the blog person... silly me, I did not fully understand the concept...anyway I only comment on the giveaways when I could really use the item, sometimes I comment and mention that I do not want to be part of the giveaway..do not add me to the list. I just have a comment...
I love this blog and truely enjoy listening everytime. Thank you all for doing the talking blogs.
Regards,Carol Ann
cece
all the best, Barbara
I went to the etsy site and found the store sign charming.
I like the opening hours sign, as well as the anatomy vision eye hearing poster.
I went to Jill's eBay site and I love this:
"Authentic Vintage Signed French Poster Nude Provence"
The SRT was informative - I've been thinking of doing a contest for my blog and for the blog for the shop I work in.
I'm still a bit confused as how you choose a winner, but nonetheless you gave some great information.
PS I will never ever enter another Apartment Therapy contest (though I did get close to winning my category), and I thank all of you who still talk to me and read my blog after all the pestering I did.
xo xo
What I really liked about Jill's site was in particular the entry titled Le Rendez-Vous. The photographs were beautiful and had a wonderful composition that drew you in and really made one want to go and visit.
Thanks so much and wish me Bonne Chance!
Good roundtable!
I liked the market posters and the fruit post, on the etsy site.
Wonderful giveaway!
Lexi
jkeppel@prodigy.net
And her blog is full of wonderful architecture - the gates of the music conservatory are incredible.
Lorrie
Anna
sageabf@mail.com
What a generous giveaway, I'll patiently wait for you to contact me that I was chosen and WON! Yippee! Suzie
Judy
Leeann
Best wishes,
Natasha.
Connie
Merci!
So many possibilities for this poster!
Love the green. Hmmm...
I enjoyed your podcast - I agree that giveaways increase traffic - but you need to be mindful that they fit your blog look and feeling. Its really a way to connect a product with a customer.
Excited for the giveaway-love all the vintage French posters!
Have a great day!!
xx-Gina
I really like the wine glass caddy and vintage map of Italy's boot from Jill's ebat site, and I'd absolutely love to do one of her trips. Fabiola is pretty cool, too.
Kate
I love this poster and the Casino poster on her Etsy shop!
Kacey @ Shes.No.Martha
Quel chance!
Scribbler
I hope Jill gets thousands of visitors!
tea
I'm remodeling our built in hutch to show off our pottery collection after 45 years of marriage and these would be such a nice addition. I would love an interior designer from Montreal on the skirted roundtable since my daughter & I are going there this summer. So much closer than Paris. Thank you all for this blog and to Joni for all the inspiration I've gotten from Cote de Texas.
Kristin in Dallas
(kkelly@2929entertainment.com)
Give aways! What a great idea.
Thanks for this opportunity!
Susan
http://kristinssimplelife.blogspot.com/2010/02/beautiful-day-in-neighborhood.html
J'adore the 'French Vintage School Poster Fruit Kitchen c. 1960' at Jill's eBay store. If I win this giveaway, I plan on purchasing the fruit poster as well to hang in our sunroom. Merci!
Thank-you
Thanks for the link to Jill's site. Love her vintage posters. My husband just bought me a 1920's french poster for our anniversary. Wish I had known about Jill's site then.
Thanks
Anna
thejavors at att dot net
Thank you ladies...
Nancy
Cindy S.
mharrell1967@gmail.com
mharrell1967@gmail.com
Thanks for another great skirted roundtable!
Is there something one of the hostesses would like??
I will work for french botanical posters!
What a wonderful gift and what a great new site.
Queen Fabiloa is quite fab!
And, even though plastic, the shop hours sign is whispering in my ear...
annie
With a blog name like ORMOLULU, it's not difficult to tell I'm a major Francophile. I'm left with great longing after reading all of Jill's sites, especially Le Trip (a dream of mine to visit France some day).
I thoroughly enjoy The Skirted Roundtable--what a generous hostess you are, Cote de Texas!
Great appreciation from Bellingham, Washington!
Debi
I love both your Ebay and Etsy shops. Everything is fabulous but what really caught my eye was the confit pot - Wow!
A couple of months ago I purchased two of your shop signs. Kept one and gave one to my sister. I use mine to let my family know when the kitchen is open - and especially when it's CLOSED! All my friends think it's wonderful and they all want one!
Love this blog! .......... Ana Maria
http://cgi.ebay.com/French-Vintage-School-Poster-Modern-Home-Ec-Restaurant_W0QQitemZ280457286135QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item414c8e91f7
And the French Store Open Hours sign - So cute!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40740508
Great sites that you all have. Love the french market basket up there too! Fabulous!
I love the other French school posters on Jill's ebay site. I also love the French Vintage Antique Restaurant Bar Toilet Phone Sign! It is such a great find.
Thanks for entering me in the contest.
I bought one of Jill's posters for my husband for Christmas - one of the large 2-sided computer prints. Just got it back from the framers and it looks fabulous in the very modern plexiglass frame (so you can flip it to see either side)!
Because of what was happening at that time in France ..... The juxtaposition is sobering.
Jill Mitchell is an incredible resource for those who want to really "breath deeply" of the air in France. She knows so many hidden places to find Parisian and Provençal treasures. It would take an average Americaine years to stumble across... these rare gems.... That is of course IF they were lucky enough to be fluent in French AND, incredibly well connected. If you tire of searching for antiques..... You can always spend a couple of days sampling the world famous wines from one of the 125 vinerons in Chateau Neuf de Pape. Otherwise, restore your soul with a massage in Roman Thermal Baths that have been existence since before Christ was born. Bonne chance, Nanette Marie
Beth of Salvage Studio
I HAVE WATCHED YOU LADIES FROM THE DISTANT KNOWING I'M NOT IN YOUR CLASS...BUT TODAY I HAD TO JOIN IN
AS ART (NEXT TO JESUS AND MY HUSBAND AND ONE SON) IS MY GREATEST LOVE.
I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS POSTER AND WILL TREASURE IT ALWAYS. I READ JILL'S BLOG, ETSY, AND E BAY. ON HER BLOG QUEEN FABILOA, MATRON SAINT OF ABUSED WOMEN AND NURSES, JUST MOWED ME OVER. GORGEOUS AND HER EYES...WOW. SHE DIVORCED HER ABUSIVE HUSBAND IN THE 4TH CENTURY...OH I WOULD LOVE THAT PICTURE...I LOVE PORTRAITS OF WOMEN. I ALSO LIKED HER VINTAGE WINE BOTTLE CARRIER BUT I WOULD USE IT TO ROLL UP HAND TOWELS, WASHCLOTH, HAND SOAP DISPENSER, AND LOTION BOTTLE WITH A VINTAGE BOW HANGING DOWN THE SIDE.
IT WAS ALWAYS MY PLAN TO GO TO PARIS WITH MY DAUGHTER ONE DAY. I WILL BE 55 IN MAY...MY PRECIOUS, ONLY DAUGHTER GRADUATED TO HEAVEN ON OCT. 23, 2009.
A BEAUTIFUL CALIFORNIA IMPRESSIONIST ARTIST, ERIN HOUGHTON, PAINTED A PICTURE OF A GIRL WALKING HER DOG OUTSIE A FRENCH FLOWER SHOP...SHE CALLED IT AMY IN PARIS. SHE OVERNIGHTED THE PAINTING BUT IT ARRIVED THE NEXT MORNING AFTER AMY WAS IN HEAVEN. SHE IS A BEAUTIFUL ARTIST AND NOW A LOVING FRIEND.
I TEASED MY HUSBAND IF A FIRE OR TORNADO WAS COMING TOWARD OUR HOUSE I WOULD SAVE THAT PAINTING FIRST....
I SAW THAT JILL GAVE SHOPPING TRIPS IN FRANCE.
SORRY I HAVE GONE ON AND ON...
BEST WISHES WITH YOUR GIVE AWAY....MAYBE I WILL WIN FOR THE LITTLE PEOPLE.....LOL
HUGS
SIMPLY DEBBIE
Warm blessings,
Spencer
I would have to go for the apothecary bottle.
Luv the site and blog.
L.
Love ~ Victoria
sara
but i also love that paiting jill just scored. incredible
xoxo,
lauren
Dana Tucker
Congrats to WINNER Laura Ingalls Gunn!!